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Locked-out sugar worker charged with crime

GRAND FORKS, N.D. (AP) -- A locked out American Crystal Sugar union worker is accused of lying about an incident involving a replacement worker at the Hillsboro plant.

The Grand Forks Herald reports Scott Ripplinger of Manvel told a deputy that the replacement worker drove a van through a crowd of picketers at a high speed, nearly running him over. The Traill County Sheriff's Office report says the van was driving slowly through the crowd and that Ripplinger jumped on the hood.

Ripplinger faces misdemeanor charges of disorderly conduct and giving false information to police. He did not immediately respond to an Associated Press request for comment.

Two other union workers have been charged with crimes during the lockout that began last August over a contract dispute, for allegedly spitting and keying a vehicle.